History of Henry VI, Part I

Duke of Gloucester. I am come to survey the Tower this day:
Since Henry's death, I fear, there is conveyance.
Where be these warders, that they wait not here?
Open the gates; 'tis Gloucester that calls.
355

First Warder. [Within] The Lord protect him! so we answer him:
360We do no otherwise than we are will'd.

Duke of Gloucester. Who willed you? or whose will stands but mine?
There's none protector of the realm but I.
Break up the gates, I'll be your warrantize.
Shall I be flouted thus by dunghill grooms?
365[Gloucester's men rush at the Tower Gates, and]WOODVILE the Lieutenant speaks within]

Duke of Gloucester. Lieutenant, is it you whose voice I hear?
Open the gates; here's Gloucester that would enter.
370

Woodvile. Have patience, noble duke; I may not open;
The Cardinal of Winchester forbids:
From him I have express commandment
That thou nor none of thine shall be let in.

Duke of Gloucester. Faint-hearted Woodvile, prizest him 'fore me?
375Arrogant Winchester, that haughty prelate,
Whom Henry, our late sovereign, ne'er could brook?
Thou art no friend to God or to the king:
Open the gates, or I'll shut thee out shortly.

Serving-Men. Open the gates unto the lord protector,
380Or we'll burst them open, if that you come not quickly.
[Enter to the Protector at the Tower Gates BISHOP]OF WINCHESTER and his men in tawny coats]

Duke of Gloucester. What! am I dared and bearded to my face?
400Draw, men, for all this privileged place;
Blue coats to tawny coats. Priest, beware your beard,
I mean to tug it and to cuff you soundly:
Under my feet I stamp thy cardinal's hat:
In spite of pope or dignities of church,
405Here by the cheeks I'll drag thee up and down.

Duke of Gloucester. Winchester goose, I cry, a rope! a rope!
Now beat them hence; why do you let them stay?
Thee I'll chase hence, thou wolf in sheep's array.
410Out, tawny coats! out, scarlet hypocrite!
[Here GLOUCESTER's men beat out BISHOP OF]WINCHESTER's men, and enter in the hurly-
burly the Mayor of London and his Officers]

Winchester. Here's Gloucester, a foe to citizens,
420One that still motions war and never peace,
O'ercharging your free purses with large fines,
That seeks to overthrow religion,
Because he is protector of the realm,
And would have armour here out of the Tower,
425To crown himself king and suppress the prince.

Lord Mayor of London. Naught rests for me in this tumultuous strife
But to make open proclamation:
430Come, officer; as loud as e'er thou canst,
Cry.

Officer. All manner of men assembled here in arms this day
against God's peace and the king's, we charge and
command you, in his highness' name, to repair to
435your several dwelling-places; and not to wear,
handle, or use any sword, weapon, or dagger,
henceforward, upon pain of death.

Duke of Gloucester. Cardinal, I'll be no breaker of the law:
But we shall meet, and break our minds at large.
440

Winchester. Gloucester, we will meet; to thy cost, be sure:
Thy heart-blood I will have for this day's work.

Lord Mayor of London. I'll call for clubs, if you will not away.
This cardinal's more haughty than the devil.